Post Project Evaluation, August 27, 2016

Accomplishment and Use of Funding – Urbana Pops Orchestra (UPO) offered one recitals and two

concerts completely free of charge to the community in 2016.

Urbana Pops principal trumpet Aaron Romm’s recital was held in the auditorium on the lower level of

Urbana Free Library. A highlight was when in a brass ensemble, Romm donned a black wig and cape to

play the part of the Queen of the Night from Mozart’s The Magic Flute. Romm’s student trumpet

players also performed.

Urbana Pops Plays VideoGames was held on Saturday, June 11 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium at Urbana

High School. This concert had several highlights: Urbana High School alumnus Andrew Edwards

provided fun information about each piece for the audience. Edwards is a film score composer, based

in Chicago, and is very knowledgeable about videogame music. The composition contest winning

pieces were scored to clips provided by Volition, so the pieces were performed live to the clips on a

screen above the orchestra’s heads.

Made in the USA was held on Saturday, July 23 in the auditorium at Urbana High School. This concert

featured music by American composers, including Leroy Anderson’s “Syncopated Clock.” One highlight

was Adam Kosberg’s bass trombone performance of Christopher Brubeck’s “Concerto for Bass

Trombone.” Another was the world premiere of Andrew Edwards’ “The Paris Incident.” Both of these

pieces were unusual and musically challenging.

Although this concert typically includes a preview of Urbana Park District’s Youth Summer Theatre

production, because this year’s schedule forced the show to be in early July, cast of Willy Wonka

performed an encore instead of “Pure Imagination.” For both concerts, enthusiastic audiences filled

the auditorium at Urbana High School with approximately 225 in attendance for each one. And

approximately 20% of the orchestra was comprised of area youth musicians.

Impact of Grant Funding – It is sad statement about how much society values music in that we expect

to pay for the work of a plumber or electrician, but we often expect professional musicians to play for

free—because they love what they do. UPO audience members are surprised to learn that UPO

musicians receive a stipend, albeit very small for the high-level music they are asked to play (UPO pays

a one-time stipend of $50/section musician and $90/principal compared with other ensemble rates of

$75 to $125 for each rehearsal and performance). Even small stipends, when multiplied by the number

of musicians in a full orchestra, adds up to a sizeable amount—much more than UPO could ever fund

raise. Obtaining the City of Urbana Arts Grant has enabled the UPO to attract more professional

musicians, thus ensuring a high-quality performance. And, while other orchestras charge students a

fee, UPO student musicians are mentored by professionals, given special student-only rehearsals, and

are not charged a fee to participate, thanks to the Urbana grant.

The number of hours spent in completing the project – over 1,000 (see attached sheet). These hours

do not include the countless practice and performance hours of UPO’s many musicians.

The number of participants in events or activities – UPO Plays VideoGames featured 47 paid

professional musicians, 14 student interns, and approximately 225 people in the audience. Made in

the USA included 48 pros, 11 students, 30 Park District cast members, and an audience of

approximately 240 people.

UPO provided the pit orchestra for Urbana Park District’s Youth Summer Theatre performance of Willy

Wonka, which included a cast of 50 youth and were supported by 5 professional musicians and 4

students, assuring a solid sound with yet another opportunity for professional musicians to mentor

students. Willy Wonka’s four performances entertained a total of approximately 1,200 audience

members.

Attendance at the free recital at Urbana Free Library was about 60, attracting a very different clientele

than typically attend UPO concerts. Many people came to the library specifically for the recital, but

there were also several families with young children who followed the music through the library halls

and joined the recital in progress.

Community Collaborations – UPO has very successful ongoing collaborative agreements with the

Urbana Park District and Urbana School District #116. This year UPO continued its partnership with

Urbana Free Library by co-hosting recitals in their lower-level auditorium. UPO also participates in the

Read Across America event at Lincoln Square with a percussion petting zoo that is very popular with

preschool children. Every year it seems UPO is fortunate to add yet another partner. This year it was

the local videogame production company Volition. The company provided videogame clips for UPO’s

composition contest. A Volition administrator attended the June concert and presented a certificate to

the junior composition winner who was able to attend the concert with his family. Being able to

perform the original compositions along with the video on the screen above added a very unique visual

component to the concert.

This year’s pit orchestra for Willy Wonka is wonderful way for UPO each year to remember its roots in

this community and support Urbana’s youth musical theatre efforts. The professional musicians play

alongside student musicians in this rigorous and exhausting week of rehearsals and performances. This

rare ensemble supports the production’s young cast with stronger accompaniment than what is

typically heard from an all-student, or last-minute cobbled together pit.

Additional Information – The 2016 UPO season was again satisfying because of the ability to offer the

recital and both concerts absolutely free to the public. At each event, there were many seniors and

families with several small children – populations that often cannot fit this caliber of live entertainment

into their tight budgets.

The accessibility of UPO’s programs allows listeners to experience familiar music in a new way –

hearing music scores from TV shows such as Band of Brothers and music known to some only from

videogames is a unique experience.

UPO offers unique educational opportunities as well. The winning pieces in the junior and senior

divisions of this year’s composition contest were premiered at the June concert. Facilitating the

composition contest and the Illinois Music Educators Association strings practice session (this year on

October 4), are two extra, unique, unfunded programs sponsored by UPO to promote and support

music education in Urbana.

This year, UPO was able to offer one free recital series. Trumpet virtuoso Aaron Romm received only a

small stipend but performed an hour-long recital featuring a broad repertoire of music. He was joined

by a piano accompanist, several colleagues for an ensemble, and his one studio of student musicians.

A couple of video clips from the 2016 concerts:

Junior composition contest winning piece, “Volition Velociraptors” performed by Urbana Pops

Orchestra, Saturday, June 11, 2016. Stephen Larson conducting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ro4ouRqEVVw

Theme from the Band of Brothers, performed by Urbana Pops Orchestra, Saturday, July 23, 2016.

Daniel Southerland conducting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hp3trpVWXyo

Link to folder of photos and flyers from the 2016 UPO season. Click on photo, then the “i” for a short

caption about each:

https://goo.gl/photos/EXXMyurt5vYQdnq7A

2016 Expenditures

A: Personnel (Project Related)

Amount of grant

Matching Funds

In-Kind Donations Total

Expenditure Notes (if applicable)

Artistic 2,000 4,113 6,080 Musician stipends

Administration 816 816 USD#116 music staff

UHS security/cust. 683 683 USD #116 admin/custodian/staff

Other 554 554 Liability Insurance

Total Personnel Expenditures 2,000 6,166 8,133

Saturday, July 23, 2016

7:00 PM

Urbana High School Auditorium

featuring

UPO is supported in part by a grant from the Community Foundation of East Central Illinois and a City of Urbana Arts Grant.

Daniel F. Southerland Principal Conductor

Stephen L. Larson Associate Conductor

Urbana Pops Orchestra presents

MADE IN THE USA Daniel F. Southerland, Principal Conductor Stephen L. Larson, Associate Conductor

Artistic Staff Chris Petterson, Staff Coordinator Christopher Raymond, Deputy Staff Coordinator John Gorecki, Music Librarian Katherine Denler, Press Coordinator Nick Tipsword, Social Media Intern Allen Brown, Asst. to Principal Conductor Maya Fuller, Asst. to Staff Coordinator

Orchestra Board Debra Levey Larson, President Richard King, Treasurer John Gorecki Eve Harwood Sheri Langendorf Kellie Larson Tim Larson Diane Marlin Mark Netter Liesel Wildhagen

UrbanaPops.org 

A Unique Relationship Debra Levey Larson

Tonight’s concert showcases music by American composers – composers who you might say were “made” in the USA.One of the composers is not just made in the USA but also “made in Urbana.” Andrew Edwards grew up just down the street and attended Urbana schools, including Urbana High School. If you were at the June concert, you’ll remember him as the evening’s emcee. He has been instrumental in promoting and helping facilitate UPO’s annual composition contest. A couple of years ago, UPO hosted a composition workshop for which Edwards was the guest presenter. So, as you see, it’s wonderfully fitting that UPO premiers his piece, T he Paris Incident, this evening.

What you may not know is that in addition to his background in Urbana Schools, Edwards has a unique connection to UPO’s other primary affiliate, the Urbana Park District’s Youth Summer Theatre Program. This evening you’ll hear the cast in an excerpt from this summer’s production of Willy Wonka. In 1992, the program’s first year, Edwards played the role of Fagin in Oliver. He then served as music director until 1997. He and Jennifer Bechtel co-wrote the program’s 2003 musical Kala. And in 2006, he co-directed, co-music directed, and designed the lighting for Into the Woods. Edward’s connections to UPO are truly unique. He is a splendid example of the talent that is born, nurtured, and celebrated as he continues to share his talents with this community.

Debra Levey Larson, board president debra@urbanapops.org

Your donation is tax-deductible.

I’d Like to Be a Pops Star! 

______________________________________ Name (to appear in programs)

______________________________________ Address

______________________________________ Phone Number

______________________________________ Email Address

Thank you for supporting the Urbana Pops Orchestra!

Your gifts to support the Pops are tax exempt. You can make a contribution online at urbanapops.org or write a check made payable to Urbana Pops Orchestra and leave it tonight with an usher or mail it to UPO, 207 W. California, Urbana, IL 61801.

Giving Levels __ Standing Ovation* $250 or more __ Encore $100 to $249 __ Bravo $51 to $99 __ Applause up to $50

*At this giving level, you may sponsor a chair. Let usknow your top 3 choices.

Stephen L. Larson Associate Conductor

Stephen L. Larson, a local educator, vocal coach, conductor, and performer, received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Millikin University and a master’s degree from Vandercook College of Music in Chicago. Before his current post as Director of Choirs at Champaign Central High School, Larson taught music at all grade levels throughout Central Illinois. Larson is a co-founder of the Urbana Pops Orchestra.

A versatile musician, Larson sings with The Baroque Artists of Champaign Urbana (BACH), Decatur's Opus 24, and area church choirs. He is also an accomplished pianist.

Like UPO on Facebook for updates on the orchestra, area

music news, featured artists, and music humor!

facebook.com/urbanapops

Urbana Pops involves many of the community’s top musicians including university

students and graduates, local teachers, and area freelance musicians. By having

the opportunity for youth to play and perform alongside these professional musicians, it

is a once in a lifetime experience! Surrounding yourself by people at a higher

level naturally engages you to reach new heights and

strive for better quality.”

—Benjamin King Trumpet Section

“ 

Standing Ovation—$250 or more 

Encore—$100 to $249 

Mike and Christine Atkinson David Bechtel Ray Boehmer and Liesel Wildhagen Debbie Chew William and Phyllis Gingold Rebecca Hanson Jim and Pat Mayer Kevin Reeder and Mardia Bishop

Tim Stelzer and Becky Mead Bill Mermelstein and Kristy Higgs Donald Owen and Meg DeLand-Owen Ray and Jeanne Sasaki Jack and Virginia Waaler Michael Walker and C.K. “Tina” Gunsalus Barb Wysocki Anonymous

Bravo—$51 to $99 

Pauline Loomis-Wagner Mark and Sandy Williams

Applause—up to $50 

Cliff and Priscilla Christians Robert and Elizabeth Czys Cole Grabow Darren Hicks Todd Kinney and Peggy Patten Jennifer Klatsky Rob Krumm and Jennifer Hines Michael and Cindy Loui David and Chris Main

Kurt Martin B.J. Ross Scott and Sarah Schwartz Bob and Barb Stiehl Jonathan and Kathryn Sweedler Elizabeth Tyler Joe and Yvonne Vitosky Phillip and Betsy Whritenour Anonymous

Steve and Nancy Cox Sponsoring Principal Trumpet

Karen Decker Sponsoring Principal Flute

John Dunkelberger Sponsoring Principal Trombone

Michael and Sheri Langendorf Sponsoring Concertmaster

Tim and Debra Larson Sponsoring Principal Percussion

John and Diane Marlin Sponsoring Principal Clarinet

Mark Netter and Eve Harwood Sponsoring Principal Horn and Principal Oboe

Stan and Kathy Tipsword Sponsoring Conductor’s Podium

Guest Concertmaster Erika Zelada, continued

She earned her Bachelor of Music at the Louisiana State University, where she studied with Lin He (violin) and Elias Goldstein (viola). She has recently finished her Master of Music in Violin Performance and Literature at the University of Illinois, studying with Nelson Lee (violin) and Liz Freivogel (viola).

Her orchestral experience includes the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, Acadiana Symphony Orchestra, Lake Charles Symphony Orchestra, Louisiana Sinfonietta, Sinfonia da Camera, Champaign Urbana Symphony Orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra of Paraguay. She has taught at the National Conservatory of Music of Paraguay and at the University of Illinois as a teaching assistant.

Zelada is currently pursuing an Artist Diploma at the University of Illinois.

Thank You, Pops Stars! 

Featured Composer Andrew Edwards, continued

His concert piece, T he Glacier Sequence, premiered at the Kennedy Center in 2011 by the US Army Band “Pershing’s Own” Contemporary Chamber Ensemble, and continues to be a staple of their repertoire.

Edwards' music has been heard on the theatre stage for many years, including the two original full-length musicals Scarlet Lines: A Gothic Musical and Kala: A Musical Faerie Tale. He composed the incidental music for Athena Theatre’s productions of Metamorphoses and True West, as well as original music for productions of The Laramie Project, The Skriker, Wait Until Dark, and many others.

Edwards holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Composition/Theory from the University of Illinois, and an MFA in Music Composition for the Screen from Columbia College Chicago. He is also a graduate of Urbana High School.

You can find out more by visiting his website at BluePoliceBox.com.

Affiliate Organizations 

usd116.org

urbanaparks.org

Pops Business Partners 

internationalgalleriesurbana.com

INTERNATIONAL GALLERIES

premierpress.com

Cindy Strehlow, Piano Technician pianopeoplecu.com

urbanafreelibrary.org

drgsbrainworks.com dsvolition.com

Acknowledgements

A special thanks to the administrators and staff of Urbana School District #116, including Patrick Russell, Superintendent Don Owen, UHS Principal Matt Stark, Urbana Music Coordinator Darren Hicks, Karen DeBauche, Phil Garrett, and Tamra Gingold. Thanks also to Urbana technical staff Breanna MortonWhittum and Tim Broeker.

Daniel F. Southerland Principal Conductor

The 2016 season is Daniel F. Southerland’s seventh as Principal Conductor of the Urbana Pops Orchestra. In 2009, he founded the orchestra with the mission of blending superior musicianship with the training of local students. Under his baton, UPO has performed a wide range of orchestral, film score, and musical theatre repertoire in concerts such as Once Upon a Tune, Sounds of Adventure, That’s No Moon, and Magical Tales.

In addition, Southerland is an accomplished composer and arranger. His performed works include “Fanfare Agnitio,” performed by UPO’s brass ensemble and the Millikin High School Honor Band. He has studied composition with John Stafford II and Robert Sheldon.

In addition to working with the exceptional student interns of the UPO, Southerland’s teaching experience includes several Decatur metro area schools such as Sangamon Valley High School, where he has a private saxophone studio, and St. Teresa High School, where he conducts their spring musical pit orchestra. He also stays active as a performer, playing during the summer with the Decatur Municipal Band.

In 2008, he became the conductor for Urbana Park District’s Youth Summer Theatre program, which led to the founding of the UPO. His conducting teachers have included Michael Luxner, Bradley Holmes, and Jim Culbertson. As a member of the Illinois Council of Orchestras, Southerland is currently involved in a conductor mentorship program with Victor Yampolsky, Director of Orchestras at Northwestern University and former violinist of the Boston Symphony. He lives in Decatur with his partner John Gorecki and their two dogs Colby and Jack.

Erika Zelada Guest Concertmaster

Erika Zelada began her musical training at the National Conservatory of Music of Paraguay. In 2004 she joined the National Symphony Orchestra of Paraguay as a founding member. Thanks to an award granted by the FONDEC (Paraguay’s National Fund for the Arts) Zelada recorded her album “Experimento,” becoming the first female violinist to release an album in Paraguay.

(continued on next page)

Urbana Pops Orchestra

Daniel F. Southerland, Principal Conductor Stan & Kathy Tipsword Sponsored

Stephen L. Larson, Associate Conductor

Violin I Erika Zelada,

Guest Concertmaster Michael & Sheri Langendorf Sponsored

Noah Larson, Associate Concertmaster Armine Mortimer Johnny Lusardi Jenna Lee° Jenny Hill

Violin II Tamra Gingold, Principal Collin Jung°, Assistant Principal Seul Lee Shelly Stearns Gabriela Chavez Katarina Marjanovic Chukyung Park Natalie Broadhurst Justin Chui°

Viola Beth Trower, Principal Annika Downey°, Assistant Principal Robin Kearton Andrehyu Allen° Evan Brown°

Cello Kirsten Landowne, Guest Principal Kelda Habing°, Assistant Principal Kristen Johns Sara Carrillo

(Cello, continued) Jenny Johnson Chris Petterson

Double Bass Margaret Briskin, Principal Todd Gallagher Pascal Youakim

Flute Kathleen Winters,

Guest Principal Karen Decker SponsoredSally Hoffmann Mora Novey, Piccolo

Oboe Mika Allison,

Guest Principal Mark Netter & Eve Harwood Sponsored

Taylor Vulgamore, English Horn

Clarinet Evelyn Tunison,

Guest Principal John & Diane Marlin SponsoredJenny Deisher Marcus Moone°, Bass

Bassoon Christopher Raymond, Principal Claire Taylor Marcus Westbrook,

Contrabassoon

Horn Jancie Philippus, Principal

Mark Netter & Eve Harwood Sponsored

Matt Geary Elaine Anderies Nick Tipsword°

Trumpet Keven Lewis,

Guest Principal Steve & Nancy Cox Sponsored Donny de la Rosa Benjamin King

Trombone AJ Youngblood, Principal John Dunkelberger SponsoredConnor Frederick Ethan Scholl, Bass

Tuba Douglas Olenik, Principal

Timpani Bridget Olenik, Principal

Percussion Dan Benson, Principal Tim & Debra Larson SponsoredZachary Bowers Jonathan Larson Collin Biesiada Allen Brown°

Harp Katherine Denler, Principal

Piano Bethany Larson, Principal

° Student Musicians

Tonight’s concert is dedicated to the memory of Virginia Davenport (1928-2016),

late grandmother of Maestro Southerland and friend of the orchestra.

MADE IN THE USA Program

The Star-Spangled Banner ....................................................... arr. John Williams (b. 1941)

Band of Brothers ..................................................................... Michael Kamen (1948-2003)

Hands Across the Sea ......................................................... John Philip Sousa (1854-1932)

The Paris Incident ....................................................................... Andrew Edwards (b. 1974) World Premiere

Aunt Marge’s Waltz (from Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban) .................. John Williams

Concerto for Bass Trombone ........................................... Christopher Brubeck (b. 1952) Adam Kosberg, bass trombone

— Intermission —

American Salute ....................................................................... Morton Gould (1913-1996)

Rey’s Theme (from Star Wars: T he Force Awakens) ................................... John Williams

Pure Imagination .............................................................................. Leslie Bricusse (b. 1931) Anthony Newley (1931-1999)

Cast of Urbana Park District Youth Summer Theatre

The Syncopated Clock .......................................................... Leroy Anderson (1908-1975)

Saturday Night Waltz ............................................................ Aaron Copland (1900-1990)

Armed Forces Salute ...................................................................................... arr. Bob Lowden

Eve Harwood is Associate Professor Emerita from the University of Illinois School of Music. She is a UPO board member and tonight’s emcee.

Adam Kosberg Featured Soloist

Adam Kosberg is an active bass trombonist, vocalist, and arranger in central and southern Illinois. He performs as a regular member the Heartland Festival Orchestra, Urbana Pops Orchestra, and Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra. For the past year he has served as operations and personnel manager for Sinfonia da Camera, the chamber orchestra affiliated with the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Illinois. He is also a founding member and primary arranger for nightmusic brass quintet which has performed at schools and universities throughout the Midwest. Kosberg recently completed his doctorate in bass trombone performance at U of I where his research interests included art song interpretation, early music performance practice, the sacred music of Andreas Hammerschmidt, and significant coursework in the area of choral conducting. As a choral vocalist, Kosberg has toured internationally and is a section leader with the St. Louis Symphony Chorus for the 2016-2017 season.

Andrew Edwards Featured Composer

Andrew Edwards is a Chicago-based film and theatre composer. He is an adjunct professor of film music in Columbia College Chicago’s MFA Music Composition for the Screen program, and the owner of the Blue Police Box Music studio on Chicago’s north side. His piece T he Paris Incident will be premiered this evening.

As a film composer, Edwards has scored a large number of short and feature length films and documentaries, including: Nancy Picks & Chooses, A Message from the East, Single Waltz, Fate Accompli, Bailout, Scary Normal, and the feature documentary Alex & Ali. Edwards studied f ilm music with former Disney music executive Andy Hill, Chicago Civic Orchestra Conductor Cliff Colnot, Composers Mike Reagan, Lennie Moore, Mark Watters, and Jeff Rona, and studied conducting with Eimear Noone. His orchestral scores have been recorded at the LA Sound Gallery and The Bridge Recording in Los Angeles, as well as Wall2Wall Studios and the Chicago Recording Company in Chicago. From 2008-2012, he was the Composer-in-Residence for Chicago Tap Theatre. Additionally, he provided original music and sound design for T he Hourglass and The Poisoned Pen and Changes, as well as several original pieces for holiday and concert performances. In his final year with CTT, he established and music directed their first live touring ensemble.

(continued on page 10)

Saturday, June 11, 2016

7:00 PM

Urbana High School Auditorium

featuring

Daniel F. Southerland Principal Conductor Stephen L. Larson Associate Conductor

Urbana Pops Plays

Videogames Daniel F. Southerland

Stephen L. Larson

Artistic Staff

Orchestra Board

UrbanaPops.org

Another Year—Another Partner Debra Levey Larson

-

I’d Like to Be a Pops Star!

Standing Ovation—$250 or more

Thank You, Pops Stars!

Encore—$100 to $249

-

Bravo—$51 to $99

-

Applause—up to $50

Affiliate Organizations

Pops Partners

INTERNATIONAL

GALLERIES

Acknowledgements

Urbana Pops involves many of the community’s top musicians including university

students and graduates, local teachers, and area freelance musicians. By having

the opportunity for youth to play and perform alongside these professional musicians, it

is a once in a lifetime experience! Surrounding yourself by people at a higher

level naturally engages you to reach new heights and

strive for better quality.”

—Benjamin King Trumpet Section

“

Aaron Jacobs Guest Concertmaster

--

-

Stephen L. Larson Associate Conductor

-

Composition Contest Adjudicators

-

Urbana Pops Plays Videogames

Program

................

................................................................

...........................................

...............................................................................

...........................................................................................

..................................................

.......................................................................

Tyler Durham Composition Contest Winner, senior division

-

Liam Dietrich Composition Contest Winner, junior division

-

Urbana Pops Orchestra

Daniel F. Southerland, Principal Conductor Stephen L. Larson, Associate Conductor

Daniel F. Southerland Principal Conductor